A short message this week as I have been flat out getting the paperwork ready for our AGM. It’s on tonight (Monday) at 6.30pm. All welcome. It’s always nice to have a few people along to share the highlights of the year.

We’ll have some food and drinks, and review the year that has been. Kalimna has taken some beautiful photos to remind us of all of the fun things we’ve done.

If you are coming please email or call so we cater for you!

Other than that … join us for Playgroup Wednesday from 10am-12pm, Crunch on Thursday 12.30pm … or check out our program below for everything else that is on.

Also, I think Kalimna has been in contact with Book Clubs about paying for next year. So a reminder to rejoin if you are planning to keep coming in 2025. Thanks!

Good luck to everyone with VCE kids (for those without, the English exam kicks things off on Tuesday and the kids are gearing up for a couple of weeks of pressure).

And … if you have any ideas for next year please get in contact. Email your ideas or call us. We’d love a couple more music teachers (we have violin and guitar at the minute) and we have a spot on Monday mornings that would be ideal for another playgroup or children's/family activity. More broadly we are open to ideas - the best things we run are always community led!

See you soon.

Leanne

We had the first session of Crunch on Thursday and did some drawing out from broken pieces of china. Check out some of the creativity below. Gorgeous hey?

Crunch is running at 12.30pm on Thursdays for the next 5 weeks. Only $15 for a yummy lunch and a creative art activity … and great company! If you are keen to join in just book in on the enrol page on our website.

Thanks to everyone who came along to our big cook-up for Preserves Group last week. We now have lots of delicious capsicum relish for sale at ACC, great for a gift!

This week we have AAA Bowls starting up on Wednesday and Crunch is back on Thursday. Come along for some creative fun and a yummy lunch as well … for only $15 … book in on our website.

We hope to see you.

Leanne

Vote. It is a bit tricky this postal voting biz. Particularly fitting the ballot paper into the envelope I found (but maybe that’s just me. It was really tight though … and I had to stick my whole hand in first to make a little air pocket so that I could then put the voting slip in … ).

Anyway … remember … not only do you have to complete the paperwork before 25 October … but you also need to ACTUALLY SEND IT. This is a reminder to me as much as you. It is always the last step on these sorts of processes that catches me out (a bit like returning library books …).

And, you may be surprised to find the post boxes that used to be in the neighbourhood (such as the one just on the corner outside ACC) have now disappeared … 21st century and all I guess. There is still one on Grange Road near Becca Foodstore, one up the top of Perry Street (near Separation Street) and obviously you can still pop past the Post Office on Station Street or Heidelberg Road … or the Plaza!

Good luck to all the candidates who I have seen out door knocking and connecting locally. It is a real commitment to run for public office and I am personally full of admiration for anyone willing to put themselves out there like this - whatever level of government.

So happy voting! And … don’t forget to do it … vote that is.

Well we were back with a bang last week. It feels like the holidays are a distant memory already!

On Monday evening I went to a farewell event for Councillor Amanda Stone, who has been on Yarra Council for 15 years. She has been a wonderful supporter of neighbourhood houses and is generally a lovely person - we will miss her, and we wish her all the best in her next endeavours. It was really amazing to see the contribution and connections she has made across Yarra over her time with Council - not just across the community but also with Councillors and Council staff. Congratulations Amanda, truly, on all that you have achieved in this sometimes (I am 100% sure) thankless role.

Back at home … it was lovely to see everyone again on Friday for craft, gardening and lunch.

And Thursday evening was fun - it was super to welcome a couple of new faces to Alphington Arts, where we did gelli plate printing. Lots of fun. LOTS of mess!

On Saturday afternoon we had 6 students come along to our VCE Study Help session - and a generous volunteer, Jessy, came along to supervise. She lives locally and is a teacher. Thanks so much Jessy. We have another session this Saturday and next … if you know anyone who is in the middle of VCE let them know they can book in. BYO practise exam.

The CWA craft group also met on Saturday afternoon - preparing for Christmas market sales. They are amazing fundraisers … and will have a stall at our Christmas Makers Market coming up on Saturday 23 November - so you will be able to come along and buy a lovely home crafted gift (or two) from them.

This week Kalimna and I will have our heads down focusing on preparing the paperwork and presentation for the AGM coming up on Monday 28 October at 6.30pm. Jill will be back in the office this week getting ready for AAA Bowls to resume next week on Wednesday 23 October. Clare will be starting up her Art and Drawing classes on Monday afternoon and Thursday evenings, and also recommencing our AAA Arts program on Friday afternoons.

We also have a busy day Tuesday with Preserves Group from 1pm and Movie Club at night. We’ll be seeing There’s Still Tomorrow at 8pm at Westgarth Cinema if you’d like to come along. It’s part of the Italian Film Festival.

Please note the posts below … Armchair Theatre are looking for some new members and a reminder about Alphington Open Studios, coming up at the end of November.

I look forward to seeing you soon.

Leanne